COOS BAY, Ore. (AP) -- Gov. Ted Kulongoski has reappointed Coos County Commissioner John Griffith to the state Ocean Policy Advisory Council after a long political battle between the pair.

Griffith supporters had repeatedly asked that he be reappointed, an effort that came to a head at the Nov. 30 council meeting in Gold Beach, where members were discussing moving forward on marine reserves.

Elected and appointed officials and residents repeatedly said during the public comment session that they wanted Griffith back on the council.

State lawmakers on the Coastal Caucus heard the message loud and clear, sending at least one letter to the governor asking for Griffith's reappointment.

But it wasn't until state Sen. Joanne Verger, D-Coos Bay, and a fellow Democrat, state Rep. Arnie Roblan of Coos Bay, sat down with Griffith that things started to change.

In the past, Griffith has opposed marine reserves or the process by which they are being considered. His attitude was part of what started the political "cold war" with the governor in the first place, but Verger and Roblan told him it was time to end it.

"I felt that our discussion with him, his positions while strong would be handled in a fair and democratic way," Verger said.

"I don't look at this as a win and a loss," Verger added. "There's not a backing down. There's an agreement that we need to move forward."

In his letter, Kulongoski also took steps toward compromise.

"I take the work of the Ocean Policy Council very seriously, and it is well-known that in the past I have been resistant to your appointment," Kulongoski wrote. "However, I am unwilling to let that reluctance stand in the way of the important tasks before the council. Therefore, I am appointing you with faith that your service will be rendered in a fair and balanced manner."

Griffith said Friday he was surprised. He had not yet seen a copy of the letter from Kulongoski, but said that the discussion before the holidays was good.

"We had a good chat -- open communication," Griffith said.

Council members hadn't seen the letter by Friday but heard about Griffith's reappointment when they began getting calls from the media.

"That is awesome!" council chairman Scott McMullen said from Astoria. "I'm pleased that the issue has been resolved."